Fluid treating system

ABSTRACT

An automatic system is provided for the conversion of ordinary tap water to pure water which comprises, in combination, an osmotic purification means and a volume-controlled liquid storage means having suitable means in association therewith for the introduction of water to the purification means and for the transfer to and removal of water from the liquid storage means.

o I United States Patent 1 11 11 3,747,763 Kain [4 July 24, 1973 1 FLUIDTREATING SYSTEM 3,456,803 7/1969 Rak 210/321 x 3,526,320 9/1970 Kryzer210/257 X [761 f f 3,550,782 12/1970 Veloz 210/257 x 2716 Warw1ck Ct.,Bartlesv1lle, Okla 74003 Primary Examiner-Frank A. Spear, Jr. [22]Filed: June 1, 1971 Attorney-Jack E. Phillips [21] Appl. No.: 148,798

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. Cl 210/181, 210/257, 210/321 An automatic Sysmm isProvided for the conversion of 51 1m. (:1 50111 31/00 Ordinary p waterto P water which wmprises, in [58] Field of Search 210/23, 321, 257,combination, an osmotic Purification means and 210 31 volume-controlledliquid storage means having suitable means in association therewith forthe introduction of [56] R f es Ci d water to the purification means andfor the transfer to UNITED STATES PATENTS and removal of water from theliquid storage means.

1,825,631 9ll93l 15 Claims, 5 Drawing; Figures Horvath 2l0/32l XPATENIEBJUL241975 3'. m7. 763

$4 INVENTOR.

CALVIN KAI N FLUID TREATING SYSTEM Demands on minicipal water treatingsystems continue to grow daily due to such factors as increasedcomsumption caused by population increase and increased pollution ofavailable water sources. The growth in demand for consumable water andthe continuing reduction in its availability have resulted in theincapability, in many instances, of community water systems to provide aconsumable, totally contaminantfree water supply for either the domesticor the industrial comsumer. in some communities, it has even becomenecessary to recycle water, and such water, while perhaps meetingminimum health requirements, is often unpalatable to the consumer eitherbecause of the contaminants still present in the water or because of theadverse taste created by the various chemicals used to treat the waterprior to its dispersion through the water supply system to the ultimateconsumer. Accordingly, in many localities there remains the problem ofproviding a consumable, essentially contaminantfree, readily availablesupply of water.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an automaticwater purification, storage and dispensing system. Another object of theinvention is to provide a system wherein tap water is automaticallyconverted to an essentially contaminant-free water. A further object isto provide a system which conveniently provides a ready source ofessentially contaminant-free water.

Other objects, aspects and the several advantages of the invention willbe apparent from the specification,

claims and the appended drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the water treating system of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the osmotic treating unit 7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the system of the invention having afluid reservoir disposed therein;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a modified conduit system for use inthe overall system of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a modified fluid dispensing conduit.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a waterpurification-storage-dispensing system which supplies a readilyavailable source of consumable water. More specifically, in accordancewith the present invention it has been discovered that consumable,palatable water can be readily supplied by treating tap water in asystem which comprises first pretreating the water in an osmotictreating unit to remove the contaminants therefrom, followed by storageof the resulting pretreated water in a fluid storage zone which is soadapted as to provide for the continuous storage and dispersion of thewater based upon consumer demands.

As shown in FIG. 1, which represents a diagrammatic view of the systemof the invention, cabinet member I has a fluid storage container 2positioned at and supported by the upper end 3 thereof. Conduit 4 havingvalve 5 therein is connected to a fluid source 6 such as a domesticwater line and an osmonic treating unit 7. Conduit 8 connects outlet 9of the osmotic treating unit 7 and essentially vertically disposedtubing 10 (which can have a curved outlet portion 12 as shown at itsupper end 11) to provide for flow of water from unit 7 to the inside ofthe fluid storage container 2.

Conduit 10 is retained in a rigid upright position by means ofsupport-seal member 13 which additionally serves to form aseal on themouth 14 'of fluid storage container .2. Conduit 15, which is similarlyheld in a rigid upright position by means of support-seal member 13,terminates at its upper end 16 slightly below outlet portion 12 ofconduit 10 and continues downward so that its lower end 17 terminates incheck valve 18 so as to provide an overflow system to preventintroduction of excesswater into fluid container 2. Conduit 19 connectsoutlet 20 of the osmotic treating unit 7 and check valve 18 to permitthe removal of excess water from unit 7. Conduit 21 connects with itsfirst end 22 tee valve 18 and via its second end 23 to check valve 24and any drain system (not shown). Check valve 24 serves to preventbackflow from the drain system into the overall system as shown. Conduit25, having an upper end 26 disposed with fluid container 2 and terminingat a point above the outlet 12 of conduit 10, serves to introduce airinto fluid container 2. The lower end 27 of conduit 25 terminates at apoint below sea] member 13 and has associated therewith a filter member28 which serves to prevent the introduction of foreign matter into fluidstorage container 2. Conduit 29, having an upper end 30 disposed withthe lower section of fluid container 2 and supported by seal member 13,has provided near its outlet end 31 valve member 32 which permits thewithdrawal of fluid from fluid storage zone 33 defined by fluidcontainer 2.

In operation, water from source 6 such as a municipal water tap ispassed, upon the opening of valve 5, through conduit 4 to the inletmember of the osmotic treating unit 7. Following treatment of the waterby passage thereof through osmotic unit 7, in the manner described inconnection with FIG. 2, the resulting essentially contaminant-free waterpasses through outlet 9 and conduit 8 to upright conduit 10 from whichit is introduced via outlet 12 into a fluid storage zone 33 defined byfluid storage container 2. When the water level reaches the upper end 16of conduit 15, excess water flows through conduit 15 to check valve 18,conduit 21, check valve 24 and thereafter into a suitable drain conduit.Air is introduced through filter means 28 and conduit 25 and out upperend 26 thereof to effect equalization of pressure in the storage systemwhen valve 32 is opened. The fluid is dispensed from zone 33 byactivation of valve 32 disposed in conduit 29, which permits flow ofwater from inlet end 30 of conduit 29 through outlet end 31.

While fluid container 2 is illustrated as a glass member such as aconventional type of bottle for water storage, it is intended to bewithin the scope of this invention to utilize any type of confiningelements or members to form a fluid storage zone 33. Accordingly,suitable means for fluid container 2 can be formed of plastics such aspolyvinylchloride, polypropylene, polyethylene and the like, as well asrust-resistant metals such as stainless steel. Thus, the nature of thematerial defining zone 33 is not considered critical to the formation ofthe overall system of this invention, except, of course, that suchmaterials should not impart contaminants to the system. Similarly, whileseal member 13 is illustrated as a plugging device to securely close themouth 14 of container 2 when it is a bottle, it is obvious that othermembers providing for passage of conduits 25, l0, l5 and 30 can beemployed. Thus, container 2, if formed of a plastic, can have sealingmeans 13 formed integrally with the mouth portion 14 thereof and adaptedto permit passage and support of the upright conduits therethrough.Similarly, when container 2 defining zone 33 is formed of a metal, seal13 can be formed of the same material and can be readily modified oradapted to permit passage and support of the necessay conduitstherethrough. It is preferable, however, that seal 13 be removablyassociated with zone 14 of container 2 in order to permit its readyopening for periodic cleaning and/or replacement of container means 2 asmay be required.

Further, while cabinet member 1 is illustrated as terminating at itsupper end 3 at a point adjacent seal means 13, if desired the cabinethousing can be extended upwardly to totally enclose container 2. In thisform, suitable access means can be provided such as a removable top orside doors to permit ready access to container 2 for such inspectionand/or servicing as required. Likewise, appropriate access means areprovided for inspection and/or servicing of the lower portion of thesystem positioned below fluid storage zone 33.

While valve member is shown to be outside cabinet member 1 so as topermit ready access thereto, should the total system need to be closeddown, it can alternatively be positioned in conduit 4 at a point insidecabinet member 1. In addition, a double valve system can be employed toconveniently permit attachment to the water source and automatic controlof flow as hereinafter described.

As a further alternative system to prevent overflow of zone 33 andoptionally to eliminate the necessity for overflow conduit 15 in thesystem, a liquid level control means 37 can be installed within storagezone 33 in operable association with valve 5 so that when the level offluid in container 2 reaches a predetermined height, valve 5 is closeduntil the level in container 2 falls below a predetermined level,thereby effecting the opening of valve 5 and permitting further flow ofwater into osmotic treating unit 7 and ultimately into storage zone 33via conduit 10.

In a presently preferred embodiment, conduit 10 terminates in a curvedportion as shown so that flow through conduit 10 is dropped downwardlythrough outlet 12 into zone 33. However, while preferred, a curvedportion in conduit 10 is not essential, so that flow can enter one 33directly from and uppr end 12 of conduit 10 on any configuration.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, a small liquid levelcontroller 37 can be installed, as shown, in conduit 10 at the upper end12 thereof which is so adapted as to terminate fluid flow throughconduit 10 when the desired fluid level in fluid storage zone 33 isattained. Use of such a liquid level controller, which can be of thecommon ball or float type, will permit optional omission of overflowconduit 15. In addition, valve 5 can be eliminated or left in an openposition so long as the total system is to be maintained in a stationarycondition, since unnecessary flow of water from the source 6 will beprevented by liquid level controller 34. While it, has been indicatedthat overflow conduit 15 can optionally be omitted, it is preferred toretain this conduit in the system as a further safety factor in theevent of failure of the liquid level controller 34 or the occurrence ofa surge of fluid through the fluid container zone 33.

As shown in FIG. 2, osmotic treating unit 7 has an upper end 38 withconduit 39 disposed therein to permit introduction to fluid to the innersection 40 thereof. Conduit 39 is positioned in upper end 38 and extendsdownwardly through the axis of unit 7. The portion of entering the unitis dispersed through the chlorinator unit. Preferably, the chlorinatoris of the type which utilizes a battery power source 54 for activationof the valve 52, which permits its ready adaptation to the purconduit 39located inside chamber 42 is perforated to permit flow of fluid from theexterior annulus or zone 43 formed by the chamber wall and the outersurface of the medium47 to the internal zone or annulus 40. Theperforations can be of any shape, such as slits or round holes, butshould be of a diameter smaller than that of the granules forming filterbed 45 within the annulus 40. Annulus 40 is maintained in place by meansof a support member 46 which is a mesh screen of suffi-' ciently finemesh to retain the filter bed medium 45, such as particulate activatedcarbon. The chamber 42 of unit 7 is substantially filled with amicroporous, semipermeable cellulose acetate membrane or medium 47, asshown, which is generally disposed around a section of conduit 39 asshown by wrapping a length of this material about the midsection of theconduit until sufficient material has been placed thereon to essentiallyfill the interior of unit 7 but providing for annulus 43. The pores inthe cellulose medium are generally in a diameter range of from 5 to 25A., preferably 5 to 20 A.

In operation, water entering through conduit 4 passes spirallydownwardly along the outer circumference of the cellulose acetate medium47 whereupon a portion thereof proceeds inwardly through the cellulosemedium toward conduit 39, where it passes through the openings 48therein, travels upwardly through the charcoal filter medium 45 andexits from the unit 7 through conduit 8 to fluid storage zone 33.

In operation, unit 7 serves to remove to 98 percent of the dissolvedminerals, including fluorides, and all organics over 200 molecularweight, including bacteria, viruses and pyrogens. Water removed from theunit 7 contains only sufficient salts to remain passive and thereforewill not corrode metals such as bronze or stainless steel. However,steel and galvanized pipe should not be used in the system. The rate offlow of purified water from the system is dependent, of course, on thesize of osmotic treating unit employed. In operation, excess water whichdoes not pass through the membrane 47 is removed via conduit 19 from theunit.

Periodically, unit 7 should be flushed to remove built-up impuritiestherein. This action is readily achieved by opening valve 49 whichpermits total flow of fluid entering through conduit 4 to bathe theexposed outer surface of the cellulose acetate medium, thus removing thedeposits of materials therefrom. Similarly, deposits accumulated in thelower portion of the unit are removed by the pressure of water passingthrough the system. Following flushing, valve 19 is returned to a closedposition whereby flow is restricted, thus directing or effecting flow ofwater inwardly toward section 41 of conduit 39.

In a further embodiment of this invention as shown in FIG. 1, automaticchlorinator 51 is associated with the fluid inlet line to permitchlorine to be automatically dispersed in the system. The added chlorineassists in decontaminating the incoming fluid and, additionally,promotes the life of the microporous cellulose acetate medium. Thechlorinator 51 operates by having a dispensing microvalve 52 disposed inconduit 53 in communication with a source of chlorine. The dispensingvalve 52 is so adapted as to be actuated at predetermined periodicintervals to continually introduce chlorine into the fluid entering theunit 7. Generally an amount ranging from 0.1 to 1 gram per gallon offluid communication with the liquid storage chamber 2. In

this arrangement, conduit 8 is introduced through a seal member 57positioned in the wall 58 of the reservoir 56 and extends thereafterupwardly into storage zone 33. Similarly, dispensing conduit 29,overflow conduit 15 and air-introducing conduit 25 are disposed throughthe wall 58 of reservoir 56. In addition, heating or cooling elementssuch as coil members 59 are provided around the reservoir 56 as shown orare disposed therein to provide for the cooling and/or heating of thefluid as desired. Alternatively, a dual reservoir system can be utilizedto provide both hot and cold fluid. When so arranged, a separate outletfor each reservoir should be provided. Additionally, a further conduitshould be added to the hot reservoir to introduce air thereto. Inassembling this embodiment of the invention, care should be taken toensure that the fluid chamber 2 forms a watertight seal with the wallvof the fluid reservoir 56. In forming a system as above described, thefluid chamber 2 can be a conventional 2- to -gallon type water bottlehaving the outer periphery of its mouth section sealingly connected toor abutting the upper end 55 of wall 58 of the reservoir 56. The variousconduits l0, 15, 25 and 29 are disposed therein in the manner asdescribed.

As a further embodiment of this invention, as shown in FIG. 4, conduit25 can be disposed in operable association with valve 32 wherebyactivation of valve 32 causes the opening of conduits 29 and 25 therebypermitting simultaneous removal of the stored fluid from zone 33 andintroduction of equalizing air pressure into the upper end of zone 33through conduit 25.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, while the storage system of the inventionhas been illustrated by the separate passage of conduits 25, 10, and 29through seal member 13, it is contemplated as within the scope of theinvention that a single conduit having the desired separate passageannulus formed therein can be employed as shown in constructing theoverall treating-storage-dispensing system.

The following examples are presented to illustrate further theinvention, but it is not intended that they should unduly limit thescope thereof.

EXAMPLE I 7 Control Temp. Temp. Animal Weight. temp.. l hour 2 hours 3hours use,

No. Kg C. after C injection I 2.0 39.2 39.4 39.4 39.4 0 3 2.5 39.| 59.239.4 39.3 '4 .l 2.2 39.5 39.6 39.8 39.6 t)

The above data show that the water treatment of the inventive systemproduces a percent pyrogen-free water.

Pyrogens are organic molecules or compounds which cause elevation inbody temperature when introduced to the bloodstream. Such compounds arecommon in water and present a serious problem when water containing themis used in preparing intravenous solutions. Pyrogens are the'wasteproducts of bacteria and yeasts. They are a polysaccharide compound witha nitrate or phosphate radical. They are gram-negative and are solublein water. Such compounds have a size of from 0.05 to 1 micron.

EXAMPLE II A l-gallon sample of water was collected from the fluidtreating system as described herein and subjected to analysis. Thefollowing results were obtained:

Specific conductance (micromho/cm at 25 C.) 20.9

The above analysis shows that water resulting from the system of thepresent invention; meets the purification level required by the UnitedStates Public Health Service standards.

Reasonable variation and modifications can be made or practiced withinthe foregoing disclosure without departing from the spirit and scopethereof.

I claim:

1. An automatic fluid treating system which comprises, in combination:

first conduit means to introduce a fluid into an osmotic fluid treatingmeans;

an osmotic fluid treating means so adapted as to receive fluid from saidfirst conduit means and to remove contaminants therefrom which passinwardly through said fluid treating means;

a fluid storage means positioned above said osmotic fluid treating meansto receive fluid from said fluid treating means;

second conduit means having the first end thereof adapted to receive theresulting treated fluid from said treating means and to introduce samethrough a second end thereof into said fluid storage means;

third conduit means having a first end thereof opening within saidosmotic fluid treating means and so adapted as to remove untreated fluidfrom said osmoticfluid treating means;

fourth conduit means to permit removal of stored fluid from said fluidstorage means;

first valve means disposed within said fourth conduit means to regulateflow of fluid from said fluid storage means; and

sealing means for said fluid storage means, said sealing means being soadapted as to permit the passage of said second and fourth conduit meanstherethrough and to maintain said conduits in a substantially uprightposition.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein there is additionallyprovided a fifth conduit means having a first end thereof disposedwithin said fluid storage chamber and the lower end outside said fluidstorage chamber whereby overflow from said fluid storage chamber isremoved.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein there is provided a sixthconduit means having the upper end thereof disposed above the fluidlevel in said fluid storage chamber and the lower end thereof disposedoutside said fluid storage chamber whereby pressure in said fluidstorage chamber is equalized upon activation of said first valve means.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein a filter means is provided inoperable association with the lower end of said sixth conduit means.

5. A system according to claim 2 wherein third valve means is disposedin said fifth conduit means to prevent backflow of fluid into said fluidstorage means and wherein said fifth conduit means passages through saidsealing means.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said third conduit meanscommunicates with said fifth conduit means whereby excess fluid isremoved from said fluid treating means.

7. A system according to claim 6 which is disposed at least partiallywithin a housing for same.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein a second valve means isdisposed within said first conduit means and in operable associationwith a liquid level control means disposed in said fluid storage meanswhereby said second valve means is actuated in response to variationfrom a predetermined liquid level of fluid within said fluid storagemeans.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein said second conduit meansterminates at the upper end thereof in a configuration whereby theoutlet of said conduit is disposed in a substantially downward position.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said fluid treating means iscomprised of a filter mediumcontaining chamber means having a filtermedium disposed therein circumferentially wrapped about a perforatedconduit means having a first end thereof in operable association withsaid second conduit means, inlet means adapted to receive fluid fromsaid first conduit means and to deliver said fluid along the outerperiphery of said filter medium, outlet means adapted to permit theremoval of excess untreated fluid from said chamber means andintroduction thereof into said third conduit means.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said filter medium is formedof microporous cellulose acetate membrane.

12. A system according to claim 1 having a dispensing means disposed inoperable association with said first conduit means for the introductionof a'material into said first means, said dispensing means comprising astorage chamber for material to be dispensed therefrom, seventh conduitmeans having a first end thereof in association with said storagechamber and a second end thereof in association with said first conduitmeans, and fourth valve means disposed in said seventh conduit means toregulate flow from said storage chamber to said first conduit means.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein at least one fluid reservoiris disposed below and in communication with said fluid storage chamber,and said sec- 0nd, fourth, fifth and sixth conduit means sealably passthrough the walls defining said fluid reservoir.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein said reservoir has heatexchange means disposed adjacent to and in heat exchange associationwith said wall defining said fluid reservoir.

15. A system according to claim 13 wherein said fluid storage means isformed of glass and has a lower end thereof so adapted as to form a neckarea extending downwardly into and open to said fluid reservoir andwherein the upper end of said reservoir means sealably abuts said fluidstorage means.

* II! i

1. An automatic fluid treating system which comprises, in combination:first conduit means to introduce a fluid into an osmotic fluid treatingmeans; an osmotic fluid treating means so adapted as to receive fluidfrom said first conduit means and to remove contaminants therefrom whichpass inwardly through said fluid treating means; a fluid storage meanspositioned above said osmotic fluid treating means to receive fluid fromsaid fluid treating means; second conduit means having the first endthereof adapted to receive the resulting treated fluid from saidtreating means and to introduce same through a second end thereof intosaid fluid storage means; third conduit means having a first end thereofopening within said osmotic fluid treating means and so adapted as toremove untreated fluid from said osmotic fluid treating means; fourthconduit means to permit removal of stored fluid from said fluid storagemeans; first valve means disposed within said fourth conduit means toregulate flow of fluid from said fluid storage means; and sealing meansfor said fluid storage means, said sealing means being so adapted as topermit the passage of said second and fourth conduit means therethroughand to maintain said conduits in a substantially upright position. 2.The system according to claim 1 wherein there is additionally provided afifth conduit means having a first end thereof disposed within saidfluid storage chamber and the lower end outside said fluid storagechamber whereby overflow from said fluid storage chamber is removed. 3.The system according to claim 2 wherein there is provided a sixthconduit means having the upper end thereof disposed above the fluidlevel in said fluid storage chamber and the lower end thereof disposedoutside said fluid storage chamber whereby pressure in said fluidstorage chamber is equalized upon activation of said first valve means.4. The system according to claim 3 wherein a filter means is provided inoperable association with the lower end of said sixth conduit means. 5.A system according to claim 2 wherein third valve means is disposed insaid fifth conduit means to prevent backflow of fluid into said fluidstorage means and wherein said fifth conduit means passages through saidsealing means.
 6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said thirdconduit means communicates with said fifth conduit means whereby excessfluid is removed from said fluid treating means.
 7. A system accordingto claim 6 which is disposed at least partially within a housing forsame.
 8. A system according to claim 1 wherein a second valve means isdisposed within said first conduit means and in operable associationwith a liquid level control means disposed in said fluid storage meanswhereby said second valve means is actuated in response to variationfrom a predetermined liquid level of fluid within said fluid storagemeans.
 9. A system according to claim 1 wherein said second conduitmeans terminates at the upper end thereof in a configuration whereby theoutlet of said conduit is disposed in a substantially downward position.10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said fluid treating means iscomprised of a filter medium-containing chamber means having a filtermedium disposed therein circumferentially wrapped about a perforatedconduit means having a first end thereof in operable association withsaid second conduit means, inlet means adapted to receive fluid fromsaid first conduit means and to deliver said fluid along the outerperiphery of said filter medium, outlet means adapted to permit theremoval of excess untreated fluid from said chamber means andintroduction thereof into said third conduit means.
 11. A systemaccording to claim 10 wherein said filter medium is formed ofmicroporous cellulose acetate membrane.
 12. A system according to claim1 having a dispensing means disposed in operable associaTion with saidfirst conduit means for the introduction of a material into said firstmeans, said dispensing means comprising a storage chamber for materialto be dispensed therefrom, seventh conduit means having a first endthereof in association with said storage chamber and a second endthereof in association with said first conduit means, and fourth valvemeans disposed in said seventh conduit means to regulate flow from saidstorage chamber to said first conduit means.
 13. A system according toclaim 1 wherein at least one fluid reservoir is disposed below and incommunication with said fluid storage chamber, and said second, fourth,fifth and sixth conduit means sealably pass through the walls definingsaid fluid reservoir.
 14. A system according to claim 13 wherein saidreservoir has heat exchange means disposed adjacent to and in heatexchange association with said wall defining said fluid reservoir.
 15. Asystem according to claim 13 wherein said fluid storage means is formedof glass and has a lower end thereof so adapted as to form a neck areaextending downwardly into and open to said fluid reservoir and whereinthe upper end of said reservoir means sealably abuts said fluid storagemeans.